Cantwell, Reichert, Larsen targeted in Washington

The premiere campaign in Washington state this year is likely to be Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell's race against Republican challenger Mike McGavick.

But Democrats and Republicans are targeting one congressional incumbent each and have backed challengers with early money and support.

Cantwell is in her first term, and Republicans hope that having won by a narrow margin in 2000, she will be vulnerable.

McGavick was CEO of Safeco Insurance and a former aide to Sen. Slade Gorton, the Republican ousted by Cantwell six years ago. No serious challengers have emerged for the nomination, and the state party endorsed him last month, clearing the way for national party money.

Of the state's nine congressional seats, two will receive the most attention.

In the 8th District — covering east King County, parts of the south end of the county and a piece of Pierce County — first-term Republican Rep. Dave Reichert is likely to face Democratic newcomer Darcy Burner.

Reichert, a former King County sheriff, had raised about $1.1 million as of Dec. 31, and had spent about half that.

Burner, a former Microsoft executive who left the company to run for Congress, had raised $205,000, with about $111,000 in the bank at the beginning of the year.

Other Democrats had explored a campaign, but Burner appears to have a free run to the nomination. The Democratic congressional delegation will hold a fundraiser for her this month.

Republicans are focusing their efforts on the 2nd District, which runs from Everett to the Canadian border. Rep. Rick Larsen is serving his third term in the seat. The Democrat raised about $704,000 last year.

The Republican Party has endorsed Doug Roulstone, a Navy veteran who rose to commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis. Roulstone, co-owner of a company that makes precision-machined parts, has raised about $278,000, $82,500 of which came from GOP members of Congress.

David Postman: 360-943-9882 or dpostman@seattletimes.com